The study was carried out during the winter (rabi) season of 2023–24 and 2024–25 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to reveal the potential of Kappaphycus alvarezii extract (KE), applied as Sagarika concentrate liquid in enhancing drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, plants were subjected to foliar sprays of KE at varying concentrations (2.5%, 7.5%, and 10% v/v) and exposed to short-term drought stress (10 days) during initial vegetative phase (one-month old wheat seedlings). The results revealed that KE application significantly improved plant performance and physiological parameters under water stress conditions. The treatment combining irrigation with 10% KE (T5) recorded the highest soil moisture content (29.17%) and shoots biomass (1.858 g DW/plant) while drought-stressed plants without KE (T2) showed the lowest values. KE-treated plants retained higher relative water content, membrane stability and chlorophyll levels indicating improved stress tolerance. In addition, cellular oxidative stress markers such as electrolyte leakage and hydrogen peroxide accumulation were notably reduced in KE-applied treatments, confirmed through both biochemical analysis and DAB staining. These findings suggest that KE foliar application enhances drought resilience in wheat by alleviating oxidative stress and supporting physiological stability making it a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for improving crop growth responses under water-deficit conditions.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a long-duration crop overlapping with the rainy (kharif) season, limits the growth period of subsequent winter (rabi) crops. To enhance income, intercropping with short-duration crops is viable due to turmeric’s slow initial growth, which leaves inter-row spaces uncovered for about four months. Therefore, an experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2020 and 2021 at School of Organic and Natural Farming, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Punjab to study the effects of intercropping okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) with turmeric on the growth, yield and profitability of primary crop and the intercropping system. The treatments, viz. Sole turmeric (30 cm × 20 cm spacing) flat planting (T1); Turmeric + okra in 2:1 flat planting (T2); Turmeric + okra in 3:1 flat planting (T3); Sole turmeric crop on 67.5 cm bed planting (T4); Turmeric + okra in 2:1 bed planting (T5); Turmeric + okra in 4:1 bed planting (T6); and Sole okra sown at 45 × 15 cm (T7) were tested under randomised block design (RBD) using three replications. The results revealed that intercropping of turmeric and okra in a 2:1 ratio, under either flat or bed planting methods, resulted in higher yields of both okra and turmeric. The experiment revealed that cultivating turmeric and okra in a 2:1 ratio on either flat or bed planting methods improved the yield, growth, and profitability of both crops. Over two years, this intercropping system achieved 300 and 304.2 q/ha equivalent fresh rhizome yield, 16.2 and 18.8% higher than sole turmeric planted, respectively under the same methods. The system also generated additional returns of ₹38,600 and ₹49,388/ha indicating the potential of okra as an intercrop to enhance productivity and profitability, especially for small farmers.

Legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) is a major constraint in production of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in India. A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Regional Research Station, Dharwad, Karnataka to evaluate different pest management modules, viz. bio-intensive, integrated and chemical module including an untreated control against legume pod borer in cowpea. All the pest management modules were found to be significantly superior over control in terms of pest reduction. Based on pooled average data of two-year study, integrated module comprising sequential spray of chlorantraniliprole 18.5 sc @0.5 mL/L, followed by botanical insecticide, azadirachtin 0.15% @4 mL/L and biorational insecticide, emamectin benzoate 5 g @0.5 g/L at 50% flowering at 10 days interval, was found effective with lowest pod damage of 11.88% and gave 65.97% protection over untreated control. Highest grain yield (1191.73 kg/ha) with 83.19% increase over untreated control, high benefit:cost ratio (1:2.05) and incremental benefit:cost ratio (2.64) were obtained in integrated module. This module reduced the grain yield loss to the extent of 45.41% whereas, the bio-intensive module and chemical module reduced the loss of grain yield up to 28.25 and 27.45%, respectively from pod borer damage. Thus, integrated module developed may be adopted to reduce the damage by pod borer in cowpea.

The study was carried out during two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023–24) in both rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to analyse the financial viability of various nutrient management options i.e. chemical, organic, integrated, and natural farming in maize (Zea mays L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system irrigated at 0.8 and 1.0 crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for surface drip (SDI) and sub-surface drip irrigation (SSDI). The effects were also compared with the farmers’ conventional practice of surface irrigation and soil application of 100% of the recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertiliser doses. The system maize equivalent yield (SMEY) obtained with the integrated nutrient management (50% RDN through FYM + vermicompost and 50% RDN through chemical fertilisers) was found to be the higher and at par with that of the chemical nutrient management (10.6 Mg/ha) and conventional system (10.3 Mg/ha) but 14% and 24% higher compared to organic and natural farming nutrient management options, respectively. SMEY productivity was found equal in SDI and SSDI but improved significantly at irrigation schedule of 1.0 ETc compared to 0.8 ETc. At the system level, integrated nutrient management under drip irrigation used substantially less water (2270–2973 m³/ha) than surface irrigation (100% RDF) (4650 m³/ha), while simultaneously achieving higher system water use efficiency (3.61–4.78 kg/m3) compared with surface irrigation (2.23 kg/m3). The soil properties (available K, microbial carbon and dehydrogenase activity) were found significant in organic and chemical methods. Due to less input cost, the cost of cultivation in natural farming was 12, 20 and 17% lower than that in chemical, organic and integrated nutrient management options, respectively. Pooled analysis showed that integrated nutrient management recorded the highest gross returns, net income, and benefit-cost ratio in the maize–wheat system, with SSDI at 1.0 ETc plus integrated nutrients producing 17% higher net income than conventional surface irrigation with soil-applied NPK.

Climate change threatens global crop production and food security, especially in marginal areas prone to drought, high temperatures, and resource limitations compounded by rapid population growth. In this context, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining attention as a climate-resilient crop due to its exceptional adaptability to harsh environments. Despite its tolerance, quinoa often encounters multiple abiotic stresses simultaneously primarily water scarcity and elevated temperatures which can significantly impair its physiological functions and yield. The study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the controlled environment facility (growth chamber) of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra to investigate the combined effects of drought and heat stress on quinoa. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design (CRD) with eight replications having four treatments, viz. Control [100% field capacity (FC)], 32/20°C (day/ night), drought (50% FC, 32/20°C); heat (100% FC, 36/24°C) and combined drought + heat (50% FC, 36/24°C). Quinoa variety used for the study was ‘Jaipur local’. The stresses were imposed at crop vegetative, flowering, and grain filling stages to evaluate their influence on overall growth, physiology and productivity. Findings indicated that the concurrent application of drought and heat stress had the most detrimental effect, surpassing the impact of each stress applied independently. Morphological parameters were most affected by stress imposed at vegetative stage while physio-chemical parameters were affected by stress imposed at flowering and grain filling stages. Drought + heat, heat and drought stress reduced quinoa seed yield by 82, 67 and 48%, respectively as compared to control (1106 kg/ha). These findings provide valuable insights for researchers and farmers, highlighting the need to optimize crop production techniques for quinoa in marginal environments.

Climate change has increased the frequency of abiotic stresses, such as waterlogging (WL), caused by heavy, unpredictable rainfall in compacted soils that adversely affects the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.). To breed WL-tolerant maize hybrid, understanding genetic variability for WL tolerance traits in source germplasm is critical. The experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season 2023 at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab in F2:3 maize populations derived by crossing WL tolerant and susceptible parent for WL tolerance under pot and field conditions. Physiological, root, and yield-related traits were assessed after WL stress at the V3–5 stage for six days. Experiment I identified root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root surface area, and root diameter as promising traits due to high heritability (h2) and genetic advance, suggesting their utility in breeding WL-tolerant lines. Chlorophyll content before (CCBT-P) and after (CCAT-P) treatment showed low heritability, requiring further studies. In Experiment II, yield-related traits like ear height, plant height, and ear yield exhibited moderate to high heritability, making them suitable for selection. The findings highlight the importance of prioritising high-heritability traits for selection and fixing superior lines through continuous selfing. This approach can aid in developing WL tolerant maize hybrids, enhancing productivity in WL prone regions of northern India and supporting sustainable maize farming amid increasing climate-induced abiotic stresses.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is inherently drought-tolerant, however, escalating climate variability, intensifying environmental stresses, and widening fodder shortages underscore the critical need to refine sowing time and crop geometry to enhance productivity. Therefore, field experiments were conducted during summer and rainy (kharif) 2022 and winter (rabi) 2022–2023 seasons at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the effect of sowing window and crop geometry on yield and quality of dual-purpose sorghum (grain + fodder). The experiment was laid out in strip plot design (SPD) with three replications. Treatments included date of sowing as Factor I, i.e. First fortnight (I FN) of February, March and April months during summer 2022 season, I FN of May, June, July months during kharif 2022 season and II FN of August, September and October during rabi 2022–2023 season and six different crop geometries as Factor II, viz. 45 cm × 15 cm (S1); 45 cm × 10 cm (S2); 45 cm × 5 cm (S3); 30 cm ×15 cm (S4); 30 cm × 10 cm (S5) and 30 cm × 5 cm (S6). Results revealed that the crop sown in I FN of April with spacing of 30 cm × 5 cm recorded significantly the highest green fodder yield (35.5 t/ha) with low crude fibre, high total digestible nutrients (TDN). The study affirmed clear shift in yield and quality across multiple seasons and helps farmers in selecting the most productive planting time and crop geometry across seasons. The benefit-cost ratio was highest (2.63) when sowing was taken during April I FN along with 30 cm × 5 cm spacing compared to all other sowing windows in respective seasons.

A field experiment was conducted during 2018–2020 at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar to study the effect of paclobutrazol (PBZ) on endogenous hormonal status of shoot buds, flowering, yield and fruit quality attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Shahi which was also affected by foliar spray of micronutrient solution and amino acids complexes. The trees of litchi cv. China was treated with PBZ (2.5 g a.i./m canopy diameter) and other chemicals like KNO3 (2.0 %), prohexadion-Ca (pro-Ca) (0.5 g/L), salicylic acid (SA) (2000 ppm), KH2PO4 (0.5%) and spermidine (Spd) (0.01 mM) and girdling. The floral shoots of litchi cv. Shahi had very poor IAA content with high GA3, non-floral shoots showed reverse trend, means PBZ (2–3 g) suppressed GA3 and IAA, and enhanced ABA and cytokinins contents to favour flowering. The 2.0 g PBZ brought highest yield (755.67 fruits/tree), high vitamin C (26 mg/100 g pulp), better TSS over other doses. Micronutrient solution (Zn, Fe, Cu, B, Mn, Mo) and amino acids complexes like ambition-multiplex-ambition (each spray @2 mL/L alternatively as pre-harvest) ensured high tree girth, more floral panicles and significantly higher fruit yield. In alternate bearer litchi cv. China, every year foliar spray of KNO3 (2.0%) during last week of September month was the most effective way to bring consistency in bearing (2,158 fruits/tree). The KNO3 (2%) and PBZ (2.5 g) application might bring excellent fruit quality in terms of TSS and vitamin C content in litchi.

The present study was carried out during 2020–2021 at ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Mau, Uttar Pradesh to assess the plant growth-promoting potential of a bacterial isolate obtained from the hot water spring at Tattapani, Chhattisgarh. The hot spring exhibited a temperature of 80°C and a pH of 7.5. Molecular characterization identified the isolate as Pseudomonas extremorientalis strain RPB22. This strain showed tolerance to salinity up to 3% NaCl and temperature of 50°C. Strain RPB22 efficiently solubilized inorganic tri-calcium phosphate (333 ± 9 µg/mL) and potassium (10.5 mg/L). High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed the production of several organic acids, predominantly malic acid, followed by oxalic acid. Seed treatment of chickpea with strain RPB22 led to a 2.75-fold and 2.17-fold increase in fresh root and shoot dry weight, respectively, while root volume increased 1.8-fold compared to the untreated control. These findings highlight the potential of P. extremorientalis RPB22 as a thermo-tolerant, multifaceted plant growth-promoting bacterium suitable for biofertilizer development in arid and semi-arid environments exposed to high temperatures.

A field study was carried out during rainy (kharif) season of 2022 to 2024 in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the performance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under farmers’ participatory mode. The experiment was conducted using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) having three treatments, viz. T1, Integrated Pest Management (IPM); T2, Farmers’ Practice (FP); and T3, Untreated Control (UC). IPM packages included timely sowing with refugia, border cropping, cowpea intercropping for natural enemy conservation, neem oil sprays (Azadirachtin 1500 ppm), need-based application of Flonicamid for sucking pests, SPLAT pheromone formulations for pink bollworm management, selective insecticides (spinetoram or emamectin benzoate), and crop termination with residue destruction. IPM fields were compared with Farmers’ Practice (FP) and Untreated Control (UC). Data were analysed using ANOVA under a mixed-effect model. IPM adoption significantly reduced pest infestations up to 81% over FP across major pests, accompanied by higher populations of beneficial insects. Pesticide sprays were reduced by 46.55% without yield penalty. Instead, seed cotton yield increased by 25.38%, and net returns improved by more than 56% over FP. IPM strategy proved highly effective in reducing major cotton pests, ecologically safer by enhancing natural enemy population, and significantly lowering pesticide use across three seasons along with high benefit-cost ratio. Scaling this validated strategy through farmer field schools and improved access to pheromone-based tools can support wider adoption in future throughout the country.